GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2011 VOLUME V TABLE OF CONTENTS The Hickory Ridge Landfill Solar Project 1 Energy Resource Division Programs Enjoy Success 2 Land Conservation Program Plans New Initiatives 2 FSTP Teams Up with Georgia Tech 3 Initiatives Continue to Protect Water Resources 3 GEFA Welcomes New CFO; Two Board Members 4 THE HICKORY RIDGE LANDFILL SOLAR PROJECT The Hickory Ridge Landfill on Moreland Avenue in Conley, Georgia, was re-introduced to the community as a solar farm with the ability to provide power to more than 200 homes during an event announcing the completion of the project on October 4. Hickory Ridge Landfill, developed by Republic Services with new solar technology designed by Carlisle Energy Services, used $2 million in funding from GEFA as a result of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 to build one of the largest single producers of solar power in Georgia and the state's first landfill solar farm. The 48-acre Hickory Ridge Landfill opened in 1993 and closed in 2006. The solar farm will sell 1 megawatt of power enough to power 244 homes to Georgia Power. Ten acres of flexible solar laminates made by Michigan-based United Solar Ovonic were attached to a synthetic "geo-membrane" atop south-facing portions of the landfill. The solar panels are the thickness of two nickels. The landfill itself was covered with a thick, tough liner to support the panels. The solar panels can be seen flying into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, but are specially designed not to distract airplane pilots. The repurposed landfill serves as a renewable energy source and reduces maintenance cost for the site. There is no need to maintain the grass grown to cover the landfill's protective liners. The geo-membrane and flexible solar panels provide a much-needed clean energy source, protect the land and water sources nearby from possible harmful contamination, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the landfill. Innovative projects such as Hickory Ridge save money and manpower in maintenance costs for closed landfills, and encourage energy savings and the adoption of renewable energy. To see additional photos of the project, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/gefaphotos. The Hickory Ridge Landfill Solar Project Conley, Georgia The Hickory Ridge Landfill Solar Project, Conley, Georgia WWW.GEFA.ORG GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2011 VOLUME V 2 DCA WINS BUILDING COMPETITION The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Headquarters Building and its trainer, Griffith Engineering, earned first place in GEFA's First Annual State Building Energy Competition, reducing its energy use intensity (EUI) (Btu per square foot). DCA also moved its ENERGY STAR score from 42 at the beginning of FY2010 to 61 by the end of FY2011. The Georgia Public Safety Training Center Administration Building and its trainer Honeywell, and The University of Georgia's (UGA) Boyd Graduate Studies and Science Library Building and its trainer UGA Engineering Outreach Service, came in second and third respectively. DCA focused its energy- saving initiatives at the employee level. With the added incentive of a Georgia Department Of Community Affairs Headquarters, Atlanta, Georgia barbeque lunch for their employees if they won the competition, DCA encouraged employees to do simple things such as turning off lights and computer monitors when leaving their offices and wearing appropriate clothing so as to not have to adjust the thermostat on hot or cold days. Open to state agencies only, the competition challenged agencies to reduce energy use intensity (EUI). The agencies received free assistance from energy experts on best conservation practices, and utilized ENERGY STAR's online energy tracking tool, Portfolio Manager, which automatically calculated EUI after entering a year's worth of energy data and other metrics such as square footage. The goal of the competition was to move more state buildings toward higher energy performance standards and earn an ENERGY STAR label. DCA will receive additional consulting services to apply for an ENERGY STAR label (if eligible), free of charge from Georgia Power (valued at up to $1,500). All three top performers will receive full tuition (valued at $1,375) to submit one person for the Building Operator Certification Program at Gwinnett Technical College. GEORGIA'S APPLIANCE REBATE PROGRAM A SUCCESS In February 2010, GEFA, through its State Energy Program (SEP), launched the Georgia Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate program, an ENERGY STAR-rated appliance rebate program for Georgia residents across the state. The state has not only enjoyed economic benefits from the program, but significant, measurable success in energy and water conservation. Appliances such as clothes washers, dishwashers, air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers were applicable for rebates ranging from $25 to $199. From February 2010 through November 2010 just nine months 111,945 ENERGY STAR rebates worth more than $9,625,433 were issued to Georgia residents. In the midst of a still-recovering economy, the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program alone generated $170,994,344 in retail sales during this time period, coupled with $1,367,954 in sales taxes for the state. The program also realized significant energy savings. The appliances purchased will save an estimated 19,360 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, equivalent to what is used in more than 1,600 households in Georgia, 498,619 Therms of natural gas, 279,226,806 gallons of water and 32,860,622 in carbon dioxide pollutants annually (Source: U.S. Department of Energy and Helgeson Enterprises). LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM PLANS NEW INITIATIVES The Georgia Land Conservation Program's (GLCP) Land Council met on September 6 to develop its operating plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The GLCP's goals are to draw on its strengths and available resources and capitalize on emerging issues and opportunities. These include pursuing cost-effective conservation measures; marketing and demonstrating the positive economic benefits of land conservation; and cultivating conservation partnerships. The Council discussed funding and budgets for land conservation. The economy has resulted in reduced conservation funding, which makes developing broad and inclusive partnerships vital to the program's success. The GLCP will continue to set policies and administer its tax credit program in a way that encourages desirable donations. Conservation easement donations are also increasing throughout the state, and the GLCP's role makes it a valuable player in this arena. Enhanced tax incentives at both federal and state levels have increased the popularity of donating conservation easements in Georgia. WWW.GEFA.ORG GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2011 VOLUME V THE FUEL STORAGE TANK PROGRAM HELPS GEORGIA TECH BUILD ITS NEW BASKETBALL ARENA The 55-year-old Alexander Memorial Coliseum on the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) campus in Atlanta is currently in the process of a $45 million renovation. The "Thrillerdome" will keep its dome, while the rest of the facility is gutted and rebuilt. The renovated facility, which will be renamed McCamish Pavilion, is scheduled to open in October 2012. GEFA's Fuel Storage Tank Program (FSTP) recently assisted Georgia Tech by remediating and closing an old fuel storage tank that was found under the old structure during recent construction work. FSTP works with state personnel to properly remove obsolete or unneeded tanks from state-owned sites, and performs the required soil and groundwater testing after removal. Cost of the removal and testing is generally paid by GEFA. water to more than 20,000 customers and determines if these systems have sufficient levels of water supply and water treatment redundancy to meet basic water needs during various emergencies scenarios. For more information on the study, go to www.gefa.org. The GEFA board of directors and executive committee recently approved several large environmental infrastructure projects. The GEFA board of directors approved the city of Donalsonville for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $6,000,000. The loan will finance an upgrade to the existing water pollution control plant from 400,000 gallons per day to 1 million gallons per day. The board of directors also approved a Georgia Fund loan of $1,200,000 to the city of Winder to finance installing 12,000 linear feet of sewer main. GEFA's executive committee approved a Georgia Fund loan of $1,497,533 to Bryan County that provides phase two financing for installing a 1,200-gallon per minute groundwater well, two sewer pump stations and 54,000 linear feet of force main. GEFA previously approved $3,000,000 for the first phase of the project in August 2010. 3 South Prong Creek, Pulaski County, Georgia INITIATIVES CONTINUE TO PROTECT WATER RESOURCES In May 2010, former Gov. Perdue signed into law the Water System Interconnection, Redundancy and Reliability Act. As directed by the act, GEFA undertook a thorough and detailed engineering study to develop a District-wide emergency plan that examines the ability of qualified water systems to accept or share water with adjacent providers during emergencies. GEFA selected a project team headed up by CH2M HILL and Jacobs. The study evaluates 33 water systems in the District that were qualified as having surface water withdrawal permits or supplying City of Lula Water & Reclamation Facility Lula, Georgia WWW.GEFA.ORG GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2011 VOLUME V GEFA WELCOMES NEW CFO; TWO BOARD MEMBERS Chris Jones was selected as GEFA's chief financial officer (CFO) in June. Jones will lead GEFA's Fiscal Services Division, which oversees the agency's finance and accounting operations; manages loan underwriting, servicing and financial analysis; and provides budgetary and administrative support for GEFA's programs and initiatives. Prior to joining GEFA, Jones served as deputy division director of the Physical and Economic Development Division for the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. In this role, he developed and presented policy and budget recommendations to the Governor and executive leadership. He also provided quality control reviews and direction to all division staff on developing agency budget recommendations and financial analysis for 35 agencies within the Physical and Economic Development Division. Jones began his career in state government with the Georgia Department of Transportation, where he was promoted to division director. As division director, he led the offices of budget services, internal audits and external audits and managed a $2 billion budget. Jones earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering technology from Southern College of Technology in Marietta, Ga., and a master's degree in business administration from the Keller Graduate School of DeVry University. He and his wife, Wendy, reside in Gwinnett County with their two children. GEFA welcomes two new board members, who were appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal in August; John C. Perryman and Stephen Gray. Perryman retired as regional manager of economic development for the Georgia Power Co. He has served on various boards including the North Georgia College and State University Advisory Board and D.A.R.E., Georgia Inc. Perryman is currently serving on the ThomsonMcDuffie Development Authority Board. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Georgia State University. He and his wife, Marsha, reside in Thomson. Gray is executive vice president of logistics and research and development for Fieldale Farms. In this role, he leads the transportation, supply chain management and research functions, as well as providing functional leadership for operations and marketing with more than 30 years of food industry experience. Gray received his bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas. He and his wife, Jill, live in Baldwin and have two children and one grandchild. McLemore Cove, Walker County, Georgia Georgia Environmental Finance Authority 233 Peachtree Street NE Harris Tower, Suite 900 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 404.584.1000 (Main) 404.584.1069 (Fax) www.gefa.org If you wish to add or remove yourself from this newsletter distribution, please email publicaffairs@gefa.ga.gov 4 WWW.GEFA.ORG